Developmental Surveillance and Referral in a Traditionally Medically Underserved Border Community

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Public Health

Background:

• Early identification and referral are crucial for improving long-term outcomes in children with disabilities.
• Current enrollment in early intervention services falls short of the number of children identified with developmental delays.
• This study focuses on developmental surveillance and referral practices in a medically underserved border community.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the patterns of developmental surveillance and referral practices among pediatricians.
• To identify challenges and gaps in the early identification and referral process for children with disabilities in a specific underserved community.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was developed by a community/academic partnership.
• Personal contact with doctor's offices was used to supplement email invitations and increase survey response rates.

Main Results:

• The survey achieved a response rate of 26.7%.
• Most pediatricians reported using a combination of formal screening tools and parent interviews for developmental assessments.
• The Modified Checklist of Autism in Toddlers was the most frequently utilized screening tool.

Conclusions:

• While most pediatricians refer children for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C services, significant gaps exist in service availability and the referral process.
• Addressing identified gaps in services and the referral pathway is essential for improving early intervention access.
• Future research should evaluate referral and feedback systems to enhance early access to intervention services for children with disabilities.